Laura Zielke Blog
Menu
  • 💎 About
  • ✒️ Blog
  • 📕&🎬 Reviews
  • ❣️ Favorites
  • ⬇️ Downloads
  • 📲 Contact
Menu
Book Review

Book Review: “While My Child Is Away” by Edie Melson

Posted on September 23, 2016May 23, 2017 by Laura Zielke

My only son started high school this year—I’m still in shock over that—and the thought he will be leaving home soon is something I can barely think about without becoming verklempt. Lately, he’s started asking about Driver’s Ed and getting his license. He’s fourteen. I’m not ready!

As I imagine my son out on his own, I experience both euphoria and anxiety: I’m excited that he’s ready and confident enough to want more independence, but I’m also anxious about what this will mean when he’s away without parent-approved adult supervision—whether for an evening with friends or a semester at college. One thing I know for certain, when he is away, I will pray.

As parents, we are all keenly aware that we cannot be with our children at all times. This separation process begins early and continues, I think, for the rest of our lives. (I mean, do we ever really completely separate from our children?!) So, whether your daughter was just married, your son recently earned his driver’s license, or your twins started a new daycare, it’s important that we know how to pray for our children.

This week marks the release of Edie Melson’s new book While My Child Is Away: My Prayers for When We Are Apart. Not only is this a handy reference book full of inspired prayers we can say for our children, but it is also peppered with devotions and prayers specifically written for us parents and caregivers.

While My Child Is Away

The book itself is divided into nine chapters:

  1. The Triumph of Love
  2. Making Good Choices
  3. Peace Beyond Circumstances
  4. True Self-Confidence
  5. A Foundation of Faith
  6. A Core of Strength
  7. Companions Matter
  8. My God, My Defender
  9. Fully Present

Within each chapter, the reader will discover a number of prayers for the kiddos, a handful of prayers for the parents to pray for themselves (thank you!), a few devotionals, and a section entitled “Parenting Thoughts.” It’s basically four books in one! The organized, calming format invites us to relax into the discipline of prayer for our families. With the prayers divided into categories, it’s easy to find the right kind of prayer when you need it.

While the prayers for the children are a helpful tool filled with love from a mama’s heart, I personally find the prayers for parents and the devotionals to be something I need just as much (possibly more). The personal stories included in the devotionals drive home her point again and again:

“[God] has lessons for each of us—even our kids—and we don’t always need to be there to make sure they get the point” (p. 20).

Amen, sister! Amen.

bookcover

In addition to the fantastic content, I cannot conclude this book review without commenting about the physical formatting of the book itself. The book is a small paperback that fits nicely into my hands. Whoever designed the cover deserves an award, because not only is it an aesthetically pleasing and calming design, it also has flaps on each side which can be used to mark the spot of favorite prayers or devotionals. It’s obvious to me that a lot of thought went into this book from character-building content to charming page design. Each prayer page features the subject of the prayer in bold print, an inspirational quote, the prayer itself*, and a related Bible verse. The book is something I will treasure and refer to frequently for years to come.

This book is not only a wonderful reference for any parent, it would also make a great gift for anyone who wants to pray effectively for his or her children.

* The prayers are both inclusive and exclusive. Inclusive, because they alternate between “he” and “she.” Exclusive, because each prayer will focus either on a son or a daughter. The prayers are easily be adapted for your own child.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Facebook Comments

You might also be interested in:

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

📃 CERTIFICATION

🗂️ CATEGORIES

  • Book & Movie Reviews
  • Journey to Authenticity
  • Favorite Resources
  • Journey Notes (Random)
  • Devotionals & Downloads
  • Journey into Ministry
  • Scholarly Articles (locked)

📚 BOOKS & AUDIO

Currently Reading

Recently Reviewed

📝 RECENT POSTS

  • Book Review: “Leading for Justice” by Rita Sever
  • Book Review: “Everyday MAGIC” by Mattie James
  • Book Review: “Decolonizing Wealth” by Edgar Villanueva
  • Book Review: “A Hole in the World” by Amanda Held Opelt

✨ INSTAGRAM

lauralzielke

What did Jesus say to Martha when she warned him o What did Jesus say to Martha when she warned him of the potential stench at her brother's tomb? 

"Don't worry about a thing, 
'cause every little thing
gonna be alright."

Sign-up for the "Valiant Women of the Bible" email list and learn about 31+ women mentioned in the Bible. One woman per day for 31 days during Women's History Month (March) only.

🔗 Tap the link in my bio
— OR —
Click here to subscribe: sendfox.com/valiantwomenofthebible

#womenshistorymonth #womenofthebible #valiantwomenofthebible
DAY 21 🍴☕ MARTHA When we first meet Martha, DAY 21 🍴☕ MARTHA

When we first meet Martha, she is busy entertaining a house FULL of guests.  Martha, her sister Mary, and their brother Lazarus live together in the town of Bethany which is located less than two miles from Jerusalem.

We have no idea how old any of them are; however, there are a few significant clues in the Gospels which indicate they were people of means. 🪙🪙🪙

Martha is an extrovert who has the gift of hospitality and delights in opening their home to friends and family. Some of her favorite frequent visitors include a traveling teacher/healer (Messiah?!) named Jesus and his 12+ disciples. 

Subscribe to the @ValiantWomenoftheBible email list to learn more. Each day during Women's History Month, and I'll send you a brief bio of a woman (or three) mentioned in the Bible. You'll be amazed at how much you learn.

🔗 Tap the link in my bio
— OR —
Click here to subscribe: sendfox.com/valiantwomenofthebible

#womenshistorymonth #womenofthebible #valiantwomenofthebible
What did the prophetess Anna say "to all who were What did the prophetess Anna say "to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem"?

"At last..."

Sign-up for the "Valiant Women of the Bible" email list and learn about 31+ women mentioned in the Bible. One woman per day for 31 days during Women's History Month (March) only.

🔗 Tap the link in my bio
— OR —
Click here to subscribe: sendfox.com/valiantwomenofthebible

#womenshistorymonth #womenofthebible #valiantwomenofthebible
DAY 20 🌟 ANNA We first meet Anna at the same p DAY 20 🌟 ANNA

We first meet Anna at the same place we could have met her any other day in the previous 60+ years of her life: the Temple in Jerusalem. 

Anna is the only named woman in the New Testament who is called a prophetess, and she has a pretty amazing encounter about 40 days after Mary of Nazareth delivers her firstborn son. 

Subscribe to the @ValiantWomenoftheBible email list to learn more. Each day during Women's History Month, and I'll send you a brief bio of a woman (or three) mentioned in the Bible. You'll be amazed at how much you learn.

🔗 Tap the link in my bio
— OR —
Click here to subscribe: sendfox.com/valiantwomenofthebible

#womenshistorymonth #womenofthebible #valiantwomenofthebible
What did Mary say to her son when she was nudging What did Mary say to her son when she was nudging him to reveal a bit of himself to the world?

🍷 "They're out of wine!" 

Sign-up for the "Valiant Women of the Bible" email list and learn about 31+ women mentioned in the Bible. One woman per day for 31 days during Women's History Month (March) only.

🔗 Tap the link in my bio
— OR —
Click here to subscribe: sendfox.com/valiantwomenofthebible

#womenshistorymonth #womenofthebible #valiantwomenofthebible
DAY 19 🌟 MARY OF NAZARETH When we first meet M DAY 19 🌟 MARY OF NAZARETH

When we first meet Mary, she is at her home in Nazareth in Galilee. We don't know exactly how old she is, but we do know she is old enough to be betrothed (like engagement on steroids) to a man named Joseph and old enough to get pregnant. 

While the story might be super familiar, there are a couple insights I hope you'll pick up on that maybe you haven't noticed before. 

Subscribe to the @ValiantWomenoftheBible email list to learn more. Each day during Women's History Month, and I'll send you a brief bio of a woman (or three) mentioned in the Bible. You'll be amazed at how much you learn.

🔗 Tap the link in my bio
— OR —
Click here to subscribe: sendfox.com/valiantwomenofthebible

#womenshistorymonth #womenofthebible #valiantwomenofthebible
What did Elizabeth say when her relative, Mary, ar What did Elizabeth say when her relative, Mary, arrived for a surprise visit?

🎉 "This baby is having a party in my womb!"

Sign-up for the "Valiant Women of the Bible" email list and learn about 31+ women mentioned in the Bible. One woman per day for 31 days during Women's History Month (March) only.

🔗 Tap the link in my bio
— OR —
Click here to subscribe: sendfox.com/valiantwomenofthebible

#womenshistorymonth #womenofthebible #valiantwomenofthebible
DAY 18 👶🏽ELIZABETH When we first meet Eliza DAY 18 👶🏽ELIZABETH

When we first meet Elizabeth, she is at home waiting for her husband, Zechariah, to return from his special time of service at the Temple in Jerusalem. Both she and her husband are descended from priests, but they themselves have no descendants...yet! 😉

Subscribe to the @ValiantWomenoftheBible email list to learn more. Each day during Women's History Month, and I'll send you a brief bio of a woman (or three) mentioned in the Bible. You'll be amazed at how much you learn.

🔗 Tap the link in my bio
— OR —
Click here to subscribe: sendfox.com/valiantwomenofthebible

#womenshistorymonth #womenofthebible #valiantwomenofthebible
What did Queen Esther say before she ignored prope What did Queen Esther say before she ignored proper palace protocol and bravely broke the Law of Persia appearing before the king UNINVITED? ☠️☠️☠️

"If I die, I die."

Sign-up for the "Valiant Women of the Bible" email list and learn about 31+ women mentioned in the Bible. One woman per day for 31 days during Women's History Month (March) only.

🔗 Tap the link in my bio
— OR —
Click here to subscribe: sendfox.com/valiantwomenofthebible

#womenshistorymonth #womenofthebible #valiantwomenofthebible
Load More Follow on Instagram

❣️ FAVORITE TOPICS

adult coloring apostasy Authenticity Bible Black Lives Matter book review brave Call to Ministry Christmas coloring crucifixion devotional Doing hard things Ephesians History Holy Spirit Homeschooling Human Trafficking humor idolatry Jesus journaling Leadership MBTI Parenting Paul peace Personal Development Personality prayer racial reconciliation Racism reinterpreting history Resurrection self-care sex addiction Spiritual Disciplines spiritual growth theology trust United States Waiting white fragility women Women in Leadership

🐧 PENGUINS

Facebook 815Fans
Twitter 521Followers
Instagram 823Followers
Post 100Post

LEGAL STUFF

Privacy Policy
Disclaimer

WHAT I’M READING

Currently Reading

Recently Reviewed

Recent Posts

  • Book Review: “Leading for Justice” by Rita Sever January 28, 2023
  • Book Review: “Everyday MAGIC” by Mattie James October 16, 2022
  • Book Review: “Decolonizing Wealth” by Edgar Villanueva August 17, 2022
  • Book Review: “A Hole in the World” by Amanda Held Opelt July 17, 2022
  • Book Review: “The 1619 Project: Born on the Water” by Nikole Hannah-Jones and Renée Smith June 19, 2022
© 2016-2022 A2Z Marketing. All rights reserved. Questions? Comments? Write to laura@a2z-marketing.com